What is Orthodontics? Benefits and Types of Orthodontic Treatment

What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a specialised branch of dentistry that focuses on straightening teeth and improving jaw alignment.

Additionally, it considers facial balance, jaw development, and how the teeth and jaws work together to support healthy breathing.

The goal is to enhance both the appearance of your smile and your overall oral health.

Orthodontic treatments address problems like crooked teeth, misaligned teeth, overcrowding, and other dental irregularities.

By applying gentle pressure over time, an orthodontist can guide your teeth into healthier, more balanced positions.

Although orthodontics is often associated with children and teenagers, it can benefit patients of all ages.

With a personalised treatment plan, you can look forward to better function, a straighter smile, and long-term dental health.

Benefits of Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment offers a range of benefits for both the appearance and health of your teeth, including:

• Improved smile aesthetics: Orthodontics help straighten your teeth and align your bite, giving you a more attractive smile.

• Better oral health: Straighter teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues.

• Enhanced bite function: Correcting misaligned teeth and jaws improves chewing, speaking, and general mouth function.

• Prevention of dental problems: Orthodontics can prevent excessive wear on the teeth, jaw strain, and other long-term complications caused by crooked teeth.

• Boosted confidence: A straighter smile often improves self-esteem, helping you feel more comfortable in social situations.

• Supports jaw development and breathing: Orthodontic treatment can guide healthy jaw growth, which may help support airway function and sleep quality in both children and adults.

What are the Most Common Orthodontic Problems?

Orthodontic issues can affect both how your teeth look and how well they work together with your jaws.

Some of the most common problems include:

• Crowded teeth: Teeth that overlap or twist due to limited space make cleaning more difficult, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

• Spacing issues: Gaps between your teeth can cause jaw issues, plaque build-up, and bite misalignment.

• Overbite: Occurs when the upper front teeth protrude over the lower teeth, sometimes leading to jaw pain, uneven wear, and speech difficulties.

• Underbite: Happens when the lower teeth extend past the upper teeth, often resulting in chewing issues and jaw strain.

• Crossbite: Caused by some of the upper teeth sitting inside the lower teeth, which can affect chewing and cause uneven tooth wear.

• Open bite: When the upper and lower teeth don't meet, it makes it difficult to bite, chew, and speak.

• Overjet: When the upper teeth sit too far forward compared to the lower teeth, it increases the risk of dental trauma and bite imbalance.

What Are the Types of Orthodontic Treatment?

There are several types of orthodontic appliances, which are compared in the table below:

The best choice of orthodontic treatment depends on your dental needs, lifestyle, budget, age, and treatment goals.

How Long Will My Results Last After Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontic results can last a lifetime if they are properly maintained.

After treatment, your teeth naturally try to move back into their original positions, which is why removable retainers are essential.

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Here are some tips for protecting your long-term results:

• Wear your retainer as instructed

• Prioritise good oral hygiene

• Attend regular check-ups

When Should I See an Orthodontist?

Children should ideally have their first orthodontic check around age seven, as early assessment can guide healthy jaw development, bite alignment, and airway health.

Teenagers often begin treatment once most of their permanent teeth have come through.

Adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment at any age.

Signs you may need to see an orthodontist include:

• Crowded or crooked teeth

• Bite problems

• Jaw discomfort

• Difficulty chewing

• Hiding your smile due to orthodontic issues

Early evaluation can help identify issues before they worsen and require jaw or dental surgery, and allow for more efficient treatment planning.

What Are the Risks of Orthodontic Treatment?

As with any dental treatment, orthodontics carries some risks, such as:

• Temporary discomfort

• Gum irritation

• Difficulty cleaning around appliances

In rare cases, poor oral hygiene during treatment may increase the risk of tooth decay or gum disease.

However, with professional guidance, regular check-ups, and good daily care, these risks are minimal and manageable.

What's the Difference Between Dental and Orthodontic?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on correcting misaligned teeth and bite issues.

Therefore, all orthodontic specialists are qualified dentists

However, these specialists complete several additional years of focused training in tooth movement, jaw alignment, and complex bite correction.

General dentists complete dental school and learn how to manage overall oral health through checkups, cleaning, and fillings.

They cannot recommend or apply orthodontic treatment.

Can Orthodontic Treatment Fix Missing Teeth?

If you have missing teeth, orthodontic treatment can help by:

• Managing gaps caused by missing teeth by closing spaces

• Positioning teeth to prepare for implants or bridges

In many cases, orthodontic specialists work closely with other dental specialists to ensure the best long-term outcomes.